Method and system for simplex or duplex transmission mode of an ethernet link in an energy efficient network

Abstract

Ethernet link partners coupled via an Ethernet link that comprises a plurality of channels are operable to transmit and receive at different maximum data rates on different channels. Based on link conditions, a link partner may negotiate a transmission rate and/or accept or reject a reception rate. Based on link conditions, a first link partner is configured to communicate in simplex mode at a first rate via at least one channel and receive in simplex mode at a second rate via at least one channel. The configured data rates are less than or equal to the respective maximum rates or a rate of zero. Link conditions comprise link load or utilization, current or past conditions, PER, BER and SNR. Power may be lowered for transmitters, receivers, near-end and/or far end cross talk cancellers, hybrids, echo cancellers and other components. Channels may be transitioned from duplex mode to simplex.

1. A method for networking, the method comprising:
 in an Ethernet network comprising link partners coupled via an Ethernet link, wherein said Ethernet link comprises a plurality of channels:
 in a first link partner, said first link partner is operable to transmit data at a first maximum rate to a second link partner via at least a first channel and said first link partner is operable to receive data at a second maximum rate from said second link partner via at least a second channel:
 determining one or more conditions on said Ethernet link for one or more of said plurality of channels, and 
 configuring said first link partner to communicate in simplex mode at a first data rate via said at least said first channel and receive data in simplex mode at a second data rate via said at least said second channel, based on said determination, wherein said configured first data rate is less than or equal to said first maximum rate and/or said configured second data rate is less than or equal to said second maximum rate. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , comprising during operation in said simplex mode, lowering power for one or more receivers that enables communication via said one or more of said plurality of channels. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , comprising during operation in said simplex mode, lowering power for one or more transmitters that enables communication via said one or more of said plurality of channels. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , comprising during said operation in simplex mode, lowering power for one or more components that enables communication via said one or more of said plurality of channels. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , comprising transitioning said one or more of said plurality of channels to a zero data rate lower power mode. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said configuring comprises transitioning one or more of said plurality of channels from operation in a duplex mode to operation in said simplex mode. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more conditions comprise a load on said link partners and/or utilization of said Ethernet link. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more conditions comprise one or both of current link conditions and past link conditions on said Ethernet link. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more conditions comprise one or more of packet error rate (PER), bit error rate (BER), and signal to noise ratio (SNR) of said Ethernet link. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 1 , comprising during operation in said simplex mode, lowering power for one or more near-end cross talk cancellers, one or more far end cross talk cancellers, one or more hybrids and/or one or more echo cancellers that enables communication via said one or more of said plurality of channels. 
     
     
       11. A system for networking, the system comprising:
 in an Ethernet network comprising link partners coupled via an Ethernet link, wherein said Ethernet link comprises a plurality of channels, one or more circuits for use in a first link partner, said one or more circuits being operable to transmit data at a first maximum rate to a second link partner via at least a first channel and to receive data at a second maximum rate from said second link partner via at least a second channel; and 
 said one or more circuits being operable to:
 determine one or more conditions on said Ethernet link for one or more of said plurality of channels, and 
 configure said first link partner to communicate in simplex mode at a first data rate via said at least said first channel and receive data in simplex mode at a second data rate via said at least said second channel, based on said determination, wherein said configured first data rate is less than or equal to said first maximum rate and/or said configured second data rate is less than or equal to said second maximum rate. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The system according to  claim 11 , wherein during operation in said simplex mode, said one or more circuits are operable to lower power for one or more transmitters and/or for one or more receivers that enables communication via said one or more of said plurality of channels. 
     
     
       13. The system according to  claim 11 , wherein during operation in said simplex mode, said one or more circuits are operable to lower power for one or more components that enables communication via said one or more of said plurality of channels. 
     
     
       14. The system according to  claim 11 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to transition said one or more of said plurality of channels to a zero data rate lower power mode. 
     
     
       15. The system according to  claim 11 , wherein said configuring comprises transitioning one or more of said plurality of channels from operation in a duplex mode to operation in said simplex mode. 
     
     
       16. The system according to  claim 11 , wherein said one or more conditions comprise a load on said link partners and/or utilization of said Ethernet link. 
     
     
       17. The system according to  claim 11 , wherein said one or more conditions comprise one or both of current link conditions and past link conditions on said Ethernet link. 
     
     
       18. The system according to  claim 11 , wherein said one or more conditions comprise one or more of packet error rate (PER), bit error rate (BER) and signal to noise ratio (SNR) of said Ethernet link. 
     
     
       19. The system according to  claim 11 , wherein during operation in said simplex mode, said one or more circuits are operable to lower power for one or more near-end cross talk cancellers, one or more far end cross talk cancellers, one or more hybrids and/or one or more echo cancellers that enables communication via said one or more of said plurality of channels. 
     
     
       20. A method for networking, the method comprising:
 in an Ethernet network comprising link partners coupled via an Ethernet link, wherein said Ethernet link comprises a plurality of channels,
 in a first of said link partners:
 determining one or more conditions on said Ethernet link for one or more of said plurality of channels; 
 negotiating a transmission data rate and/or accepting or rejecting a reception data rate based on said determination; and 
 configuring said first link partner to operate in a simplex mode on a selected one or more of said plurality of channels when communicating via said Ethernet link, based on said determination.